THE PRESS BOX.

Penguins sign GM Patrick to 5-year deal

Now Patrick has 18 other free agents and the anticipated trade of Jaromir Jagr to worry about.

Accomplishing what owner Mario Lemieux called his top priority for the off-season, the team signed Patrick to a five-year contract worth about $1 million per season.

Patrick didn't retain an agent for his negotiations, saying he took less than he could make elsewhere "because this is where I wanted to be."

Patrick, 55, has been the Penguins general manager since December 1989. Last week, he was named to the Hockey Hall of Fame, joining his father, grandfather and uncle.

- Guy Charron will return to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks as an assistant coach after being fired as head coach in April. Charron took over from Craig Hartsburg in December, then was fired in April after going 14-26-7-2.